MARKS

You should find three large orange cylinder shaped marks with the APS logo and two smaller tomato shaped marks in the cabin of the Black Swan (Bayliner).  There are also two MONSTER yellow marks in dark blue storage bags.  Don’t use these unless you need one for a “change of course.”

You should also find an electric inflator there.  The inflator can be connected to the battery on either the Black Swan or the Signet (Robalo) to inflate the marks.  (Unfortunately, we don’t have a back up yet.  I hope you don’t need it.  If you do, the smaller hippity hops in the whaler are your best bet.)

You should find ground tack in a large plastic storage container.  Tie these onto the marks once they are inflated.

On most days, you will only need the 3 large orange cylinder marks.  Use these for windward, reach (optional), and leeward marks.

On a day with many boats, you might use the two smaller tomato marks for a leeward gate.  They should be about 120 feet apart on a line perpendicular to the course.

The start and finish pins are on the Robalo.  The start pin has a red flag on top covered with a short section of PVC tube to keep it from fading in the sun.  The finish pin has a blue flag on top also covered by a short PVC tube.  Please re-cover the flags at the end of the day.

Use the Signet (Robalo) to take the marks up river and to drop them in approximately the right position.  The Robalo and whaler can later adjust their positions according to the wishes of the PRO.

The best way to position the pins is to drag them by their ground tackle behind the boat as you go slowly upwind.  When the PRO feels the pin is in the correct position, he signals with a hand gesture and the ground tackle is dropped into the water. 

Might be useful to have an M-flag in a whaler, just in case a mark drags.   If a mark starts to go into the channel, I think it is both safer and fairer and better for our relations with the police if the whaler grabs it and pulls it back to where it was before. It might have to set and hold the mark until the boats pass.